God is Faithful...Right?

“He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it on the day of Christ Jesus.” Phil 1:6

A word from Pastor Paul about our faithful God in light of this world’s trials, pain, and suffering:

These are things I believe we can confidently embrace in times of pain, tragedy, and loss. Sometimes these principles are easier to share with some folks than with others depending upon what I'm able to discern regarding the other person's faith in the face of difficulties. Here goes:

* I believe that God does all things well. He makes no mistakes. He sees everything from the perspective of eternity. I would always choose what God chooses if I could see things as He does.

* I believe that all things really, really do work together for the good for all those who are called according to His purpose. For me, that's Bible. That's truth. And it really IS true or it is NOT. I put my trust in this as a promise from God. I may not understand what's happening. I may not like it nor, if it were up to me, have chosen for it to happen; but I believe this is true. And if I question this or fight against this, where else would I go? Does believing otherwise offer me greater comfort or hope?

* I believe God loves me. I believe God is committed to my best. Nothing can happen to me that isn't first filtered through my loving, sovereign Savior. I can trust Him to use every life experience for my wellbeing. I don't need to understand. I don't need to like what's happening. I do need to trust.

* I believe in heaven. I believe we are made for heaven and eternity and we hold the things of this world lightly in proportion to our confidence in and grip on eternity. The less sure we are of heaven and God's purposes, the more susceptible we are to clinging to the things of this world.

* I believe that God knows my frame. He understands that I am but dust. He understands my questions, my pain, my frailty, and my hurt. He even understands when I am angry at Him.

* If I really do believe these things are true, then the final choice I must make involves my attitude.

All of these are part of my reality. I embrace them all, even when at times they seem to contradict one another and must be held in tension. I seek to communicate this to others in ways that are appropriate. These matters, I believe, are best embraced in one's life before tragedy strikes. It's tough to form this framework in the midst of life's trials.

Pastor Paul